The intriguing power play behind Obasa’s resurrection

The intriguing power play behind Obasa’s resurrection

32 distraught and disgruntled lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly may  never have envisaged that Mudashairu Obasa whom they removed on the 13th day of January, 2025, would ever make a comeback. If the 13th January event was a burial for Obasa, his reinstatement on the 3rd of March was a resurrection; a triumphal re-entry.

When his “sins” were recounted by his colleagues and keen watchers of the events at the Assembly, it was easy to think that the political grave of Obasa had been dug, his tombstone constructed and a conspicuous epitaph etched on it.

The said sins included his alleged disrespect for Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat;  his alleged allocation of N17 billion to construct a special gate; the alleged spending of N200 million being spent on a thanksgiving event that never took place;  the alleged move by him to abrogate the 37  Local Council Development Areas, and general high-handedness.

Although Obasa claimed his removal did not follow the laid down rules, his embattled colleagues told him to tell that to the marines while insisting on their support for Mojisola Meranda the former Deputy Speaker whom they had elected to replace him.

But signs that some of the gods that control Lagos politics, were uncomfortable with the development, emerged when a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Anthony Adefuye, in an interview, sided with Obasa. Adefuye had said, “What he’s (Obasa is ) saying is that he was illegally removed and the procedure was faulty and I agree with him.”

However, there were others who seemed to have favoured the actions of the lawmakers who removed Obasa. Musiliu Obanikoro, a former federal minister and also a member of the GAC, took Adefuye up on his comment.

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He said,  “The statement of Senator Adefuye on the removal of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, is very unfortunate, childish and inconsequential.”

“Senator Adefuye’s comment shouldn’t have come up. As leaders, if there are serious issues of this magnitude, rushing to make press statements or personal statements on such issues is unbecoming.”

While powerful stakeholders understood the reasons for Obasa’s removal, they were uncomfortable that  there were no “proper consultations” before his colleagues ousted him.

President Bola Tinubu, it was learnt, was particularly miffed over the development. Although some of the excesses of Obasa had been reported to him by some political bigwigs in Lagos, he was caught off-guard over his removal. While it is true that he had  reportedly reprimanded Obasa for his alleged dishonour of Sanwo-Olu, he did not expect that his political godson would  be so disgraced out of the office.

As Obasa took to going to court to invalidate his removal, a high powered committee was set up by Tinubu to resolve the crisis. The committee  which was led by former Osun State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress,  Bisi Akande, had former Ogun State Governor,  Olusegun Osoba, former APC National Vice Chairman, South-West, Pius Akinyelure, and others as members.

While Tinubu reportedly wanted  Obasa back, majority of the Lagos lawmakers stood their ground, vowing there was no going back on their decision. However, they could not sustain their position as they bowed to the wish of the President and other political strongmen who wanted  a return to the status quo.

At the plenary which held on Monday March 3rd, Meranda and  her deputy, Mojeed Fatai resigned their positions, and were thereafter elected  Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip respectively. This paved the way for Obasa to be nominated and re-reinstated as the Speaker.

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While giving her resignation speech, Meranda in an emotion-laden voice,  said she was leaving her position as a personal sacrifice “towards resolving the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.”

She said, “I took this decision carefully and with firm consideration. On one hand, I accepted the position of Speaker on January 13, 2025, and on the other hand, I resigned the position as it is threatening the democracy of this House.

“As good people of Lagos, our mandate is to protect the good people of Lagos State and ensure good governance.

“I feel that I have demonstrated leadership and selfless sacrifice by resigning in order to protect these resources that we have suffered to build. With your unwavering support, I take this step to step down as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

“I cherish the solidarity that I have enjoyed and that has been given to me by my honorable members. I do not leave out the management and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly. I want to thank you for your support and collaboration.

“As short as it is, this is a memorable event. I need you to permit me to resign as the Rt. Honorable Speaker, and I shall continue to serve my good people of Apapa Constituency 1 in particular and the entire Lagos State in general.

“Thank you for finding me worthy to lead this distinguished and honourable Assembly. I am not a quitter; however, I took this bold decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment.

“Accordingly, I have agreed to yet again make a personal sacrifice by stepping down as the Speaker of this great Assembly.

“Dear distinguished and gallant honourable members of this 10th Assembly, occasionally, we are confronted by overwhelming challenges and conflicts, but as responsible leaders, we must not break down the legislative House that we collectively built in pursuit of justice and fairness.

“For those who have been unfairly referred to for standing on the side of fair play, kindly take note that there will always be an opportunity to right any wrong.

“I appreciate the spectrum of solidarity that I received through phone calls, messages, and visits throughout my short tenure.

“I sincerely thank you for your understanding and support, just as we know that party decisions are supreme.

“At this point, I take a bow as your Speaker, and I step down as your Speaker for this great House.”

Obasa on his own part after he had been sworn-in again, said it was not time for speech making but appreciated “our colleagues who have put a lot into this gathering today” as well as party leaders who played a role at resolving the crisis.

The intriguing power play behind Obasa’s resurrection

Source: PM News